WARNING: Contains Spoilers for WONDER WOMAN #19!
In what has become a historic moment for DC Comics, Wonder Woman meets her demise in the mainstream continuity of the comic universe. However, amid the shock, fans can find solace in an important detail that suggests her death might not be as final as it seems—particularly if DC adheres to its established narrative patterns.
Those who were already reeling from Tom King’s earlier decision to eliminate Steve Trevor, Wonder Woman’s longtime love interest, in Wonder Woman #14 will find the events of Wonder Woman #19 even more startling. Following Steve’s passing, the story pivoted to explore Diana’s journey into motherhood, while delving deeper into the lives of other members of the Wonder Family.
However, in this latest issue, the stakes escalate dramatically across its 28 pages, leaving readers astonished. In a shocking display of power, Diana compels the aged Sovereign to etch the word “liar” into his own flesh. Yet, the ultimate shock comes with Wonder Woman’s own death. Thankfully, this tragic event is depicted as occurring 18 years in the future, providing a strong indication that it is unlikely to ever transpire within the current DC narrative—here’s why.
Wonder Woman’s Death: An Unlikely Reality in the Present Timeline
Cover B David Nakayama Variant for Wonder Woman #19 (2025)
Much about the circumstances surrounding Wonder Woman’s death remains shrouded in mystery, largely due to its placement in a time period projected approximately 18 years into the future. This timeline is inferred from the fact that Diana’s daughter, Lizzie, is still an infant in the present, while her mother’s demise appears to occur when Lizzie is around the age of 18. While it is true that Wonder Woman has been depicted as dead in the comics, that death is situated far into the future. Despite some fans interpreting this as an official countdown to her ultimate fate, their concerns may be unwarranted, as this event is unlikely to materialize.
The DC Universe has a well-known tendency to progress at a much slower pace than the real world. For instance, Tim Drake has been portrayed as 17 for decades. Given this pace of storytelling, it is improbable that DC will convey an entire 18-year evolution of its universe—at least during the span of most readers’ lives. Thus, the future death depicted in Wonder Woman #19 is not expected to unfold within the current timeline, easing concerns regarding Wonder Woman’s continued presence in DC narratives. The exploration of time in the DC Universe operates on a distinctly different scale compared to the real world.
What Was the Purpose Behind Wonder Woman’s Death?
Main Cover by Daniel Sampere and Tomeu Morey for Wonder Woman #19 (2025)
While the knowledge that Wonder Woman’s death is unlikely to surface in our lifetime offers some comfort, this holds true only if DC continues its established trend of depicting time passage at an exceedingly slow rate. At this juncture, it’s reasonable to believe that this aspect of storytelling will remain unchanged. However, one overarching question persists: what was the reasoning behind Tom King’s portrayal of Wonder Woman’s death if it appears to have no immediate implications? Currently, no definitive answers are available, but as King’s Wonder Woman series develops further, fans can expect to uncover more insights that may illuminate the purpose behind this harrowing future death, alongside other significant developments.
WONDER WOMAN #19 is currently available from DC Comics!